DAY 51 of 54: JULY 21: BRATTLEBORO (VT) TO MANCHESTER (NH)

Time Zone : Eastern (GMT -5)
Todays Distance: 91 miles
Cycling time: 7 hrs 19 mins
Average Speed: 12.5 mph

Today’s cumulative ascent: 5907 ft

Average Heart rate: 107 bpm

Distance so far: 3,836 miles

Ascent so far: 123,064 feet.
Centuries so far: 13
Punctures so far: 10

Today’s Profile:

Today’s Route:
Dedication: My cycle today was for Kordolin, Rickey and Michael so that they and all the pupils in Providence will get the opportunity of the type of education that Edmund Rice envisaged.

I had been made aware that the sting was in the tail i.e that this trip to Manchester would be a testing one. Forewarned is forearmed. Thanks Andrew.

PROVIDENCE [9] Providence is more than just a school…it is a centre of care. The children are provided with a hot meal each day; visits by medical personnel are arranged; clothes and shoes are distributed discretely as are umbrellas for the monsoon rains.

Some of you may have noticed that yesterday’s posting was a day late. I had it all ready on time but couldn’t connect to the internet in Brattleboro. Neither did the mobile or room phones work.

Distance for today wasn’t the longest but the climbs decided that we should start early with loading at 6.30. The outlook for the day was gloomy although there was no rain as we left. Still, everyone had raingear on the ready. Mist was drifting down from the hills to meet us on the way up.
Shortly after passing over the Connecticut River in Brattleboro and as we climbed out of the river valley we entered New Hampshire (The Granite State). Two states in two days. New Hampshire with Maine and Vermont make up New England and the state’s motto is ‘Live Free or Die’ referring back to it’s long held belief in freedom. New Hampshire was the first region to break away from English rule in 1776. It’s about the same size as Munster with a population of 1.2 million. New Hampshire is the first primary to be held in the presidential election cycle. Earl Tupper who blessed the modern luncher with Tupperware was a native of New Hampshire.
Some serious climbing today over the Berkshires known for their sharp steep inclines. Fortunately heat was not a factor on these that were all in the 10% region with one of them hitting 18%. It was down to the lowest gear or pedal out of the saddle. None of the group did the unthinkable of walking. One of the most demanding was up Joe English Road. Why didn’t he stay at home rather than come over here building hills!
Very few fields of crops to be seen. In trees most of the time and it reminded me of cycling in Wicklow from Glendalough down to Rathdrum or down by Shillelagh or the Glen of the Downs as it used to be. Plenty of still small lakes with lots of holiday cabins in the trees and each one of them with canoes and snow-mobiles alongside.

For 1 mile today we cycled along a dirt road, the only time we have done so. For some unknown reason I met more cars and pick-ups on that 1 mile than on any other 3 mile stretch today. it was rough but I knew that it was only for a short stretch.

Followed by a dog again today but I think the poor thing did it because he was attempting to live up to the image. Didn't feel threatened.

Francestown at the second SAG was typical of the villages with white-timbered churches and so many old houses built of stone. Familiar town names cropped up again especially Antrim. There was another Dublin south of the route but too far away (15 miles) for a side-trip.
It was murky and misty all day without any drops falling but thunder sounded behind me when 20 miles from destination. Rain came down heavily and I took shelter in a carport for a short period when just 5 miles out from Manchester. The thunder didn’t really come over so it was only the discomfort of being soaked I had to contend with. No chill in the air. Really this has been the first continuously wet day we have had over the seven weeks. That’s a new experience for me.
I arrived in Manchester shortly after 2.30 with the rain still coming down heavily. No need to worry with the certainty of a hot shower and dry clothes. Not everyone can be sure of those. As I came in along Donald Street a large cemetery on my left was dominated by an ornate grave with Harrington inscribed on it in large letters. With no internet or phones last night I just wondered if the tomb was an omen that Padraig had blown it. No such significance as I later found out. With Dublin (NH) being far off the mark today I wondered if it was a sign. No, for 23 reasons.
Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire ( but not the capital). It prospered as a cotton mill town and took its name as it wished to be as its English namesake. There is a strong (21%) Irish community dating from the mill days. Dick and Mac McDonald the founders of the fast-food chain were natives of the town.
My first task in Manchester before going to the motel was to go about a replacement rear wheel. I thought it better not to leave it to the last day. The first shop( a large bike shop) couldn’t help but I got fixed up in the Bike Barn and had the new one fitted and ready for the road in 10 minutes. Now I could return the loaned wheel I had to Gerard. I finally made it to the motel at 3.30 like a pessimistic cyclist…with a spare wheel strapped to my back. That’s one less item to worry about in Portsmouth.
Tonight’s dinner was the official end of trip occasion as some will leave with their families after the wheel dip tomorrow at 12.30. Presentation of certificates and novelty awards to all and each cyclist spoke about what the adventure had meant for him/her. It was an emotional time for a group that had bonded so well. However the alarm goes off tomorrow morning again…. the last time for them and the third last time for me. Let’s hope the weather will be kind to us for the ceremony on the Atlantic beach. Gary and Alan both had 17 flats and were crowned while Piet has gone flat free....so far.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.